6 Travel Books to Inspire Your Wanderlust

If you’re like me, you love a good book. If you’re like me, you love a good adventure. If you’re really like me, then you really love a good adventure book! Sometimes, when I can’t book a flight or train ticket, I do the next best thing. I go to my local bookshop and head right over to the travel section. Whether it’s a memoir, a travel guide, or fictional adventure tale, it’s always fun to live vicariously through the words of others. For a few moments a day, as you read, you can imagine yourself elsewhere- from the beaches of Bali all the way to the Grand Canyon.

Below are six books to help inspire your wanderlust, enjoy!

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman

While others were getting married, buying homes, and starting families, Kristin Newman was traveling the world. This laugh-out-loud memoir is a real treat. In fact, as soon as you finish this book, you’ll be itching to pick up your passport and go on an adventure of your own! Newman takes readers through life in her twenties and thirties; from South America to Europe, you’ll learn what it’s like for a young woman to travel solo. Inspiring, hilarious, and conversational, Newman’s book should be your next go-to!

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Bryson is known for his national bestseller, A Walk in the Woods. However, this book is an ode to his time in Australia. Rather than take you down the typical tourist route, Bryson’s book is peppered with hilarious accounts that are far off the beaten path. Not only does Bryson provide much humor in this book, he also includes historical tidbits as well as information on Australia’s popular national parks. If you’ve been to Australia before, this is a great reminder of how wonderful the country is. And, if you’ve never been, you can bet you’ll be booking a ticket after reading Bryson’s words!

Dave Barry Does Japan by Dave Barry

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Dave Barry, this clever memoir takes readers on a fun-filled journey through Japan. And, while the cover of this book is super silly, the words inside are no joke! Barry’s words are engaging, descriptive, and spot-on when it comes to describing differences between American and Japanese culture. In fact, Barry’s chapter on Hiroshima displays that he can be both respectful as well as silly. If you’re looking to learn more about Japan, this is a great book that will provide you with tons of information without boring you!

All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft by Geraldine DeRuiter

DeRuiter, aka The Everywhereist, is a critically acclaimed author based in Seattle. All Over the Place is her first book and she has knocked it out of the park. With stories of her travels, anxieties, and relationships, this book is truly all over the place! DeRuiter may be afraid of pigeons and get motion sickness from time to time, but that doesn’t stop her from seeing the world. If you’re already a fan of her witty writing style, you’ll love this book.

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner

While I don’t consider myself a grump (ok, maybe sometimes), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Rather than try and figure out what happiness is, Eric explores the globe to find out where happiness is. Eric’s wit and considerations really bring this blissful tale to life. He travels everywhere from Switzerland and Qatar, to the small city of Asheville, North Carolina to see where folks are happiest. You may be surprised by his discoveries!

Restless: Memoir of an Incurable Traveller by Heather Hackett

This is a great book if you’re looking to travel more but still have doubts or concerns. While many love the idea of traveling, it can seem too overwhelming and daunting at first. Heather’s words and first-hand accounts will ease your mind– you’ll be itching to book your next flight! While she currently lives in Australia, this book will you take you through her journey down the Himalaya, through Asia and, finally, Europe. If you can tell a tourist from a traveler, or you want to learn more about the difference, Heather will shed light for you on what it really means to be a citizen of the world. Her words will get you moving and you’ll learn plenty about other cultures and surroundings through her words.

Just like that, you can book a vacation without ever having to leave your home! Just run to your local bookstore or order one of these travel books online. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy a new journey. Whether you’d like to follow Kristin Newman through her travels in Argentina, or find out where true happiness really lies through Eric Weiner’s tale, you’re sure to have a fun experience. Enjoy the adventure!

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